Dr. Maria Liza C. Centeno is a past President of the Pediatric Dentistry Association of Asia (PDAA) and the Philippine Pediatric Dental Society, Inc. (PPDSI). She took her post-graduate training in general dentistry for children and children with Special Health Care Needs at the Pediatric Dentistry division of the Philippine Children's Medical Center in 1996 and obtained her specialist Certificate in Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry (AEPD) from the Pediatric Dentistry Center, Philippines, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center in 2015. She finished her degree in Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of the Philippines Manila and took master classes in Educational Psychology at University of the Philippines, Diliman.
She is currently part of the training staff and Research Head of the AEPD Training Program at the Fe Del Mundo Medical Center; a consultant at Delos Santos Medical Center where she holds private practice and at Centuria Medical Makati. She is one of the pioneer Fellows of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD), obtained in 2023.
In 2003, she was appointed as one of the members of the Professional Regulation Commission's Board of Dentistry where she eventually became the Chairperson at the end of her term in 2006. She has been appointed as the Chair of the Science Committee in 2019 of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) and took charge of updating guidelines on COVID Risk Management for Dental Practice in the Philippines.
The Philippine Dental Association recognized her performance as Outstanding Affiliate President in 2002 and 2003 and awarded PPDSI in 2002 and 2003, as the Outstanding Affiliate Organization during her term as President. Also, the UP Dental Alumni Association (UPDAA) recognized her efforts and awarded her as an Outstanding Alumna in Leadership in 2008. In addition, she also headed the International College of Dentists (ICD) Philippines, Section IX as President in 2018. To date, she holds key positions in various dental organizations to organize and conduct programs for faculty development, continuing education, community based activities and research projects.